Combined liquid dispensing and air venting apparatus



Oct. 24, 1961 R. w. BEALL, JR 3,005,475

COMBINED LIQUID DISPENSING AND AIR VENTING APPARATUS Filed June 15, 1960uwwwq imflkw INVENTOR. .R/CHQPD WBE/QLL. J22.

ATTO R N EY 3,005,475 CQMBINED LIQUID DISPENSING AND VENTING APPARATUSRichard W. Beall, In, 834 20th St., Hermosa Beach, Calif. Filed June 13,1960, Ser. No. 35,555 17 Claims. (Cl. 141-198) The present inventionrelates generally to the field of liquid dispensers, and moreparticularly to a dispenser that permits discharge of liquid underpressure into a closed receptacle with concurrent venting of air fromthe closed receptacle during said liquid discharge. This application isdirected to an improved and modified version of the liquid dispensingdevice shown and claimed in co-pending application entitled VentedNon-Drip Liquid Dispensing Device, Serial No. 753,239, tiled in theUnited States Patent Ofiice August 5, 1958.

A recent development in the field of packaging is the use of acollapsible bottle formed from a polymerized resin such as polyethyleneor the like in which a liquid product can be stored until needed. Almostinvariably the liquid product merchandised in such a container must betransferred to another receptacle, tank, or other liquid holding deviceprior to use of the product. The transfer of liquid from the collapsiblecontainer to the receptacle in which it will be used was, until thedevelopment of the present invention, an inconvenient and timeconsumingoperation. Moreover, the transfer of liquid from the collapsiblecontainer is, due to gravity, accompanied by gurgling and substantiallateral movement of the discharging stream of liquid. As a result, it isalmost impossible to direct such an irregular fluid stream without theaid of a funnel into the relatively narrow neck of a receptacle, tank,or other liquid holder into which it is to be transferred. Also, if theattention of the person transfering liquid from the collapsiblecontainer into the tank or receptacle is momentarily distracted by othermatters, there is always the possibility that the receptacle or tankwill be overfilled, with resultant waste of the liquid.

The primary purpose in devising the present invention is to overcome theinconvenience attendant in the transfer of liquid from a collapsiblecontainer or an open vat to a receptacle by means of equipment availableheretofore, and to completely eliminate the possibility that liquidbeing discharged into the receptacle will rise above a predeterminedliquid level therein.

A major object of the present invention is to supply a liquid dispenserthat may be removably placed in communication with a liquid holdingcollapsible container or open vat, and when so connected, be broughtinto pressure contact with the outer extremity of the neck of areceptacle or tank to permit discharge of liquid from the container intothe receptacle, with concurrent air venting of the receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to supply a liquid dispenser, whichin addition to concurrently venting air from the receptacle duringdischarge of liquid therein, limits the level to which liquid can risein the receptacle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of simplemechanical structure which is adapted to be injection molded frompolymerizable resinous materials, is easy to assemble, and may be soldat a sufficiently low retail price as to encourage the widespread usethereof.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, andfrom the accompanying drawing illustrating that form in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the dispenser of the presentinvention when it is being used to trans- I Patented Oct. 24, 1961 ferliquid from an upper, inverted container to a lower upright receptaclethrough a tubular connector such as a flexible hose, or the like;

FIGURE 2 is a combined side elevational and vertical cross-sectionalview showing the dispenser and connector on the hose;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the invention illustrated inFIGURE 2 shown connected to a hose or tube, and in the open position tofill a receptacle to a predetermined level therein while concurrentlyair venting the receptacle;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse cross-sectional and bottom plan View of thedispenser taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the device taken online 5-5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view of the connector shown atlixed tothe upper extremity of the tube as illustrated in FIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view and transverse crosssectional view of theconnector shown in FIGURE 6, taken on line 7-7 thereof.

Referring now to FIGURE 1 of the drawing for the general use andarrangement of the invention, it will be seen that a pressuriza'olecontainer U such as a plastic squeeze bottle, or the like, is providedwhich has a connector V removably engaging the neck (not shown) thereof,which connector in turn engages a flexible tube W.. The lower end oftube W is connected to the liquid dispenser .X of the present inventionshown in detail in FIGURES 2 and 3, by a connector X. The dispenser Xwhich is normally closed, may be placed in the open position whendisposed in pressure contact with the upper extremity of a neck Y on acontainer Z. The container Z may, of course, be a bottle, tank, or anytype of receptacle having a liquid discharge opening formed therein.

The dispenser X (FIGURES 2 and 3), includes a vertically disposable,elongate, hollow, rigid member A that is defined by a cylindrical sidewall 19 and a longitudinally extending interior partition 12. Partition12 is arcuate in transverse cross section, as shown in FIGURE 4. Thepartition 12 and side wall 10 cooperatively define a longitudinallyextending liquid discharge passage 14, and an air vent or air dischargepassage 16, which latter permits air to escape from the container Zduring the time fluid is being discharged therein. Although a number ofmaterials could be used, it has been found preferable to fabricate themember A from a polymerized resin that is injection molded to thedesired shape. A transversely positioned plate B is rigidly afiixed tothe top of member A, and first and second openings 18 and 20 are formedin plate B that are in communication with the passages 14 and 16respectively. The second opening 20, as shown in FIGURE 2, is muchsmaller in cross section than the first opening 18.

A rigid circular valve member C is transversely positioned and rigidlyafiixed to the upper end of a tubular support D. A lower portion 22 ofsupport D is of larger transverse cross section than the upper portion24 thereof on which the valve member C is mounted. A circumferentiallyextending body shoulder 26 is defined at the depends from plate 32 andis in communication with openin 2 the lower portion 22 of tubularsupport D. The outer circumferential edge of plate 32 develops into alongitudinally extending cylindrical wall or shell 34, a portion 34a ofwhich is situated above plate 32, with a portion 34b thereof beingsituated below the plate, as best seen in FIGURE 2. Threads 36 areformed on the interior surface of portion 34a, the purpose of which willbe explained hereinafter.

A first guide G depends from platev32 and slidably engages a secondguide 1-1 that projects upwardly from plate B. Guide G includes a rigidcylindrical wall 38 which depends from the lower surface of plate 32.Two oppositely disposed, longitudinally extending ribs 46 are formed onwall 38. Guide H is defined by a second wall 44 which projects upwardlyfrom plate B, as may best be seen in FIGURE 4, and the interior crosssection of wall 44 is such as to snugly and slidably engage the exteriorsurface of first wall 35;. Wall 44 is provided with two outwardlyprojecting, longitudinally extending groovedefining 'protuberances 46that slidably engage the ribs 4th A compressed helical spring I issituated within the confines of guides G and H (HG RE 2), with the lowerend or" the spring being in abutting contact with the upper surface ofplate B and the upper end of the spring bean.

ing against the lower surface of plate 32.

overlying the plate 32 is a sheet 50 of resilient material such asrubber or the like, in which a centrally disposed opening 56a is formedthat is of substantially the same transverse cross section as that ofopening 32a and in vertical alignment therewith. A number of smallcircumferentially spacedprojections 52 are formed on the innersurfacesof the partition 12 and side wall 10. Projections' 52 are located asubstantial distance below the lower surface of plate B.

A float 54, preferably fabricated from a polymerized resin that isbuoyant in the lightest liquid that will be dispensed from container U,is disposed within the confines of the air vent passage 16. The float54, includes a ball 56 which in diameter is less than that of theinterior transverse cross section of air vent 16, but greater than thediametrical spacing between the projections 52. The ball 56 has anelongate shank 58 depending therefrom thatis slidably movable betweenprojections 52. When liquid rises-in the passage 16, the float 54 israised due to the buoyancy thereof, with the ball 56 seating against thelower edge of the opening and preventing air from passing upwardlythrough passage 16 and opening 20.

Connector X comprises the upper portion of the dispenser X and isrigidly fixed to the lower end of the resilient tube or hose W.Connector X is defined by a cylindrical plate 60 having a centrallydisposed opening 62 formed therein. A tubular boss 64 projects upwardlyfrom plate 60 and is in communication with opening 62. Boss 64 is ofsuch transverse cross section as to be snugly and slidably insertablewithin a bore 66 formed in tube W. A longitudinally extending bore 68 isformed in boss 64 that is in longitudinal alignment with opening 62.

A number of circumferentially spaced, upwardly extending legs 70 areformed as an integral part of plate 60, and these legs are so radiallyspaced relative to boss 64 thatthc end portion of tube W is justslidably insertable therebetween. A first cylindrical shell 72 projectsupwardly from the circumferential edge of plate 60, and a secondcylindrical shell 74 depends downwardly therefrom, The lower exteriorsurface of shell 7 4 has threads 76 formed thereon that are adapted toengage the threads- 36, and;removably hold the dispenser X and connectorX' together as an integral unit, as may best be seen in FIG- URE 3.

An inwardly projecting, circumferentially extending lip 78 is formed onthe inner edge surface of shell 72. A cylindrical locking member so isprovided of suflicient thickness that when inserted in an annulus-shapedopening 82 defined between shell 72 and legs 70, it forces the Sleeve33- slidably and sealingly engages,

legs 70 into pressurecontact with the exterior surface of the tubing Wto grip an end portion of the tubing between the legs and the exteriorsurface of the boss 64. A circumferentially extending recess 89a isformed on the upper exterior surface of locking member 8%, in whichrccess the lip 78 ispermanently disposed when the locking member isfully positioned wi hin the confines of the annulus-shaped'opening 82.Once the locking member 8% is disposed within the confines of space 82it cannot be removed. The end portion of tube W is pressure-grippedbetween the exterior surface of the boss 64 and legs 70, and ispermanently aflixed to connector X. A number of longitudinallyextending, circumferentially spaced ribs 84 are formed on the exteriorsurfaces or" the upper shell 72 and the lower shell 74 for each ingripping the con nector 1 when it is being threadedly engaged to thedispenser X.

The connector V' shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 is of the same structure asconnector X above described, with the exception that the threads 76 areformed on the inside of the shell 74 instead of the exterior surfacethereof. One other difference between couplings V and X is that thelongitudinally extending ribs 34 continue the full length of coupling Vrather than just a portion thereof as shown in FIGURE 2. Inasmuch as thebalance of the structureof connector V is identical to that of connectorX, it will not be described in detail, but the component parts ofconnector V corresponding to parts al ready described in connection withconnector X are denoted byv the same numerals to which a prime has beenafiixed.

Air-tight pressure contact of the dispenser X withthe,

upper extremity of the neckY of container Z is efiected by a resilientring-shaped pad d0 that abuts against the lower surface of plate B. Thepad 90 has an opening 92 formed therein through which the rigid member Apro"- jects downwardly, asbest seen in FIGURE 1. In tranrn versecrosssection, opening 592 is slightlysmaller thanthe exteriortransversecross section of member A, and" in consequence, the pad 90 isresiliently held in abutment with the plate B.

Operation of the invention is extremely simple. containerU has anexternally threaded neck (not shown) that may be threadedly engaged bythe connector V; After threaded engagement of connector V and containerU, the container may be inverted in the position shown in FIGURE 1;Liquid in container U will, of course, flow downwardly through the tubeW and connector X into the dispenser X. However, due to the action ofcompressed spring I, the plate 32 and resilient sheet 59 at all timestend to be moved upwardly away from the plate B, and the sheet St isforced into liquid-sealing contact with the under side of the valvemember C. Thus the dispenser X is-normally closed, and fluidcannot'escape therefrom.

When it is desired to dispense liquid from the recep tacle U into thecontainer Z, the tubular member A is inserted within the confines of theneck Y, and the re silient pad 90 brought into pressure contact with theupper extremity of the neck by manual movement of the wall 34 downwardlyrelative to the plate B. This downward movement of wall 34, togetherwith the connector X removably attached thereto, can continue only untilthe lower edge of the'first guide G comes into contact with the uppersurface of plate B. The port 28 is then 10- cated above the sheet 50whereby liquid in the valve body E can flow downwardly through the port23 and bore 30 into the liquid passage 14 to discharge into the confinesof the container Z. Concurrently with this fluid discharge intocontainerZ, the air in the container is displaced upwardly through the air ventpassage 16 to flow around the ball 56 of float 54, and pas through theopening 20 into an enclosed space 94 which is defined by the uppersurface of plate B, interior surfaces of guide G and H, lower surface ofplate 32, and exterior surface of support portion 22. The ribs 40 fitsufiiciently loosely in groove-defining protuberances 46 that space 94is in com munication with the ambient atmosphere. During this liquiddischarge into the container Z with concurrent up ward flow of airthrough the vent passage 16, the float 54, due to gravity, is supportedon the projections 52.

The upward flow of liquid into air vent passage 16 causes the buoyantfloat 54 to rise from the projections 52 and the ball 56 to move intosealing contact with opening 20. Air cannot then escape from thereceptacle Z and further discharge of liquid from container U into thereceptacle is prevented as a result thereof. Thus, by mews of thepresent invention any number of receptacles Z can be filled sequentiallyto the same liquid level.

It will be particularly noted that no liquid can enter the confinedspace 92, for the portion of the resilient sheet 50- surrounding theopening 32b is at all times in sliding liquid-sealing contact with theexterior surface of support portion 24. In the fabrication of thedispenser, it is desirable that the longitudinal distance between thelower edge of first guide G and the upper surface of plate B when thedispenser is in the closed position be as great as the length of port28, so that the port is fully exposed to the liquid when the dispenseris in the open position shown in FIGURE 2.

As soon as the dispenser is not forcefully held in contact with the neckY, the spring I expands and moves the dispenser from the open position(FIGURE 3) to the closed position shown in FIGURE 1. It should also benoted that while the connector X is permanently afiixed to the tube W,the connector X actually forms a part of the dispenser when removablythreaded thereto. Also, when the invention starts to be moved away fromthe neck Y, the liquid in air vent passage 16 is no longer underpressure and quickly drains into the receptacle Z. As the liquid drainsfrom passage 16, the fioat 54 moves downwardly therewith until the floatrests on protuberances 52.

An air passage 96 extends transversely through sleeve 33, and ispreferably of sufliciently small diameter as to have a high resistanceto the flow of liquid therethrough. Passage 96 is so located in sleeve33 as to effect communication between space 94 and the annulus-shapedspace 95 between the external surface of the upper portion 24 of supportD and the internal surface of sleeve 33 when the valve member C is inthe closed position shown in FIGURE 2. As port 28 is in communicationwith annulus-shaped space 98 when the valve member C is in the closedposition, the liquid passage 14 is vented to the atmosphere when thevalve member is so disposed, and liquid as a result drains completelytherefrom. This venting of passage 14 completely eliminates thePossibility that liquid will remain therein after the valve member Cassumes a closed position to subsequently discharge or drip therefromafter the invention has been moved away from container Z.

It will be particularly noted (FIGURE 2) that due to the location of theair passage 96, no liquid ever tends to be forced therethrough into thespace 94 where it could contact the spring I. When the valve member C isin the open position (FIGURE 3) the interioriy disposed end of passage96 is sealed by the lower portion '22 of valve support D. When the valvemember C is in the closed position (FIGURE 2)' any liquid remaining inthe liquid discharge passage will tend to flow downwardly therein, andin so doing create a negative air pressure thereabove which is relievedby inward flow of air from the ambient atmosphere through the passage 6.This feature is of the utmost importance where the liquid beingdispensed is corrosive in nature and could attack the spring J, which isin most instances fabricated from a metal or alloy of metals. The airpassage 96 is preferably located above the lower edge of port 28 whenthe valve member C is in the closed position shown in FIGURE 2. When airpassage 96 is so disposed, all

liquid that could drain therethrough to space 94, drains downwardlyinstead through port 28 and support D to liquid passage 14.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scopethereof, and therefore the invention is not limited by that which isshown in the drawing and described in the specification, but only asdefined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A dispenser for use in discharging liquid under pressure to apredetermined level into a closed receptacle having a liquid dischargeopeningformed therein and concurrently venting said receptacle,comprising: a valve body that includes a first plate having an openingformed therein, a cylindrical shell which at least extends upwardly fromthe periphery of said plate and is affixed thereto, and a tubular sleeveextending downwardly from said plate and in communication with saidopening; a second plate having a liquid discharge opening and an airdischarge opening formed therein; a valve member of greatercross-sectional area than that of said opening in said first plate; atubular valve member support extending upwardly from said second plateand in communication with said liquid discharge opening, said supportbeing slidably and sealingly disposed in said sleeve, which support hassaid valve member rigidly affixed to the upper end thereof, with atleast one port formed in the upper portion thereof; first means whichtend at all times to move said second plate away from said first platefor disposing said valve member in a liquid-sealing position relative tosaid first plate; an internally and longitudinally positioned tubularmemher that defines a liquid discharge passage and an air' dischargepassage, said tubular member depending from said second plate, with saidliquid and air passages being in communication with said liquiddischarge and air discharge openings respectively; second means adjacentsaid second plate for effecting an air-tight seal with said dischargeopening in said receptacle when brought into pressure contact with theportion of said receptacle surrounding said opening; third means in saidair discharge passage that permit upward flow of air therethrough butseal said air discharge opening when liquid discharges upwardly in saidair discharge passage; and fourth means that removably engage said shellfor discharging liquid under pressure therein when said partitionedmember extends downwardly into said receptacle and said valve member hasbeen moved downwardly relative to said second plate to expose said portto said liquid, with said liquid continuing to discharge into saidreceptacle when said valve body is so disposed until the liquid level insaid receptacle rises to said predetermined level to cover the lower endof said partitioned member, whereupon said liquid discharges upwardly insaid air discharge passage to actuate said third means and flow fromsaid liquid discharge passage ceases.

2. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein fifth means are providedfor venting said liquid discharge passage to the ambient atmosphere whensaid valve member is in a liquid-sealing position relative to said firstplate.

3. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein the upper portion of saidvalve member support in which said port is formed is of smallertransverse cross section than the interior cross section of said sleeveand cooperates to form an annulus-shaped space therewith, which sleevehas a transversely disposed air passage extending therethrough that isin communication with said annulus-shaped space when said valve memberis in a liquid-sealing position relative to said first plate, with saidair passage, annulusshaped space, and port cooperatively serving to ventsaid liquid discharge passage to the ambient atmosphere when said valvemember is in said liquid-sealing position.

4. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein said second means is aresilient pad through which said partitioned member projects downwardly.

5. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein said third means is abuoyant member of lesser transverse cross section than that of theinterior of said air discharge passage but of greater transverse crosssection than that of said air discharge opening, and the configurationof said buoyant member is such as to seat in liquid-tight contact withthe portion of said second plate surrounding said air discharge openingwhen raised upwardly in saidv air discharge passage by upward flow ofliquid therein.

6. A dispenser as defined in claim l wherein said third means is a ballfrom which an elongate shank depends, said ball and shank being buoyantin the lightest liquid thatwill be used with said dispenser, with thediameter of said ball being less than that of said air dischargepassage, and said ball sealing said second opening when sea-ted againstthe portionof said second plate surrounding the same.

7'. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced projections are provided on the interiorsurface of said elongate member that defines said air discharge passage,with said ball'resting on said projections and said shank extendingdownwardly therebetween when said fioat means is in said first position.

8. A dispenser as defined in claim 1 wherein said shell is. providedwith threads and said fourth means is a threaded connector thatremovably engages said threads and is connected to a source of liquidthat canbe placed under pressure.

9. A dispenser as defined in claim 8 wherein a flexible tube isprovided, one end of which tube is connected to said source of liquidunder pressure, with the other end of said tube being connected to saidconnector.

10. A dispenser as defined in claim 8. wherein said connector comprises:a plate having a centrally disposed opening formed therein; a tubularboss extending outwardly from said plate and in communication with saidopening; a plurality of circumferentially spaced legs projecting fromsaid plate in the same direction as said boss and radially spacedtherefrom substantially the same distance as the wall thickness of saidtubing; a first cylindrical shell projecting from the circumferentialedge of said plate in the same direction as said legs, which shell andlegs define an annulus-shaped space therebetween; a ringshaped lockingmember of greater thickness than the width of said annulus-shaped space,with said locking member when inserted in said space pivoting said legstoward said boss to frictionally grip and hold an end portion of saidtubing that is disposed between said legs and boss; and a secondcylindrical shell projecting from said plate in a direction opposite tothat of said first shell, with said second shell having engageable meansformed thereon.

11. A dispenser for use in discharging liquid under pressure into aclosed receptacle having a liquid discharge opening therein andconcurrently venting said receptacle, including: an elongate hollowinteriorly partitioned member that defines a longitudinally extendingliquid passage and an air vent passage; a transversely positioned rigidplate aifixed to the upper end of said member, said plate having firstand second openings formed therein that are in commmunication with saidliquid passage and air vent passage respectively; a tubular supportcommunicating with said first opening that extends upwardly from saidplate, which support has at least one port formed in the upper portionthereof; a valve body having a third openingforrned therein in whichsaid support is slidably disposed; a valve member of greater transversecross section than said third opening, which member is rigidly mountedon the upper end of said support; resilient means in. said valve bodyagainst which said valve member seals when in pressure contacttherewith; first and second guide means that interlock for relativelongitudinal movement only, said first guide means extending upwardlyfrom said plate and said second guide means depending downwardly fromsaid' valve body; spring means that at all times tend to move said valvebody relative to said plate to maintain said valve member in pressurecontact with said resilient means; sealing means adjacent said hollowmember for removably efiecting an air-tight seal with that portion ofsaid receptacle adjacent said liquid discharge opening formed therein;float means in said air ventpassage for controlling the flow of airtherethrough, which float means normally occupies a first position whereair can flow upwardly from said receptacle through said air vent passageand said second opening to escape to the ambient atmosphere, but withsaid float means rising to a second position where it seats against saidsecond opening to prevent escape of air from said receptacle when thelevel of liquid in said receptacle rises to the extent that liquidrather than air flows upwardly in said air vent passage; and means forpermitting the discharge of said liquid from said receptacle into saidvalve bodyabove said third opening for subsequent discharge into saidcontainer when said hollow partitioned member extends downwardly throughsaid discharge opening formed therein and said sealing means effects anair-tight seal withsaid container.

12. A dispenser as defined in claim 11' wherein said valve body includesa first cylindrical wall portion that extends upwardly above said thirdopening, said first wallportion has first threads formed on the interiorsurface thereof, said means for permitting the discharge of said.

liquid from said receptacle is'a flexible tube that extends therefromand communicates with the interior thereof,

and a tubular connector is mounted on the free end of said tube, saidconnector having second threads formed thereon that engage said firstthreads to r-emovably hold said valve body and connector together asanintegralunit.

13. A dispenser as defined inclaim 12 wherein said valve body defines aflat surface on the interior thereof, and said resilient means isa-resilient. sheet that lies on said surface.

14. A-dispenser as defined in claim 12 wherein said first and secondguide means are defined by first and second cylindrical wallsrespectively, said first wall being provided with at least onelongitudinally extending rib, and said second wall with a longitudinallyextending ing; a first cylindrical shell projecting from the circumferential edge of said plate in the same direction as said legs, whichshell and legs define an annulus-shaped space therebetween; aring-shaped locking member of greater thickness than the width of saidannulus-shaped space, with said locking member when inserted in saidspace pivoting said legs toward said boss to trictionally grip and holdan end portion of said tubing that is disposed betweensaid legs andboss; and a second cylindrical shell projecting from said plate in adirection opposite to that of said first shell, with said second shellhaving engageable means formed thereon.

16. A connector as defined in claim 15 wherein said engageable means arethreads formed on said second shell.

17. A connector as defined in claim 16 wherein said plate, boss, legsand first and second shells aremoldedas an integral'unit from apolymerized resin.

No references cited.

